Arabic version: برابوو يطيح برئيس الوكالة بعد فضيحة التسمم الغذائي

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto has fired the head of the agency responsible for his flagship free meals programme, Dadan Hindayana, which has been plagued by mass food poisonings and corruption allegations. This decision comes in the wake of mass food poisonings and allegations of corruption linked to the initiative, which aims to provide free meals to 80 million schoolchildren. According to BBC News, the programme has faced significant scrutiny since its launch in January 2022, with tens of thousands of children reportedly falling ill.

The sacking of Hindayana follows a complaint filed by Indonesia’s corruption watchdog regarding inconsistencies in budgeting within the programme. Critics have raised concerns about the programme’s financial implications, particularly as Indonesia faces economic challenges, including a weak currency and reduced trade surpluses. Recently, the programme’s frequency was cut from six days to five per week in response to these financial pressures.

In a move to address the situation, Prabowo has appointed Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, his deputy and a former journalist, to replace Hindayana. However, some observers view this leadership change as insufficient, arguing that a complete overhaul of the programme is necessary to resolve ongoing issues. Critics note that Deyang lacks experience in nutrition and food safety, raising doubts about her ability to implement effective changes.

Reports indicate that the free meals programme has been linked to at least 33,000 cases of food poisoning as of April. Dadan Hindayana faced criticism not only for the poisonings but also for making controversial suggestions regarding dietary practices, including a proposal for increased milk consumption and the incorporation of insects into meals. Despite the challenges, Prabowo maintains that the programme enjoys public support, highlighting its importance for the nutritional needs of children across the nation.